savor belonging to yourself
…only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself. ~Ruth Stout
The trails are deliciously empty after it snows.
Saturday we woke up to a blanket of snow. Thousands of people took to facebook to announce that it snowed. This is what my Mom posted.
She’s so smart. I saw her before I took off to run on Sunday and she asked if I had a mask to avoid a chapped face. I thought it was too warm and clear for a mask. As soon as I got to the trail it started snowing heavily before turning into large jagged chunks of ice.
My piles of running clothes have gone from summer’s few small scraps into winter’s mounding piles of layers.
The temperature rose and the snow slipped off the wet branch.
I usually don’t feel what I’ve gotten myself into until after I take the picture and turn to leave.
Made by a woodpecker.
Made in Michigan.
Melissa not dusting 
Great photos as usual. Love the dripping water. Glad you can get out in the woods again.
December 10, 2012 at 7:34 am
Thanks Rose. It was more than WONDERFUL after a month off!!
December 10, 2012 at 7:37 am
Love the photos, Melissa!
December 10, 2012 at 8:11 am
Thank you Helen!
December 10, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Exquisite.
December 10, 2012 at 8:59 am
Thanks Julie. I came across a package of napkins with peacock feathers on it in my move I bought for you. How do I mail something to Australia? (:
December 10, 2012 at 8:21 pm
How exciting! My address is PO Box 23
Dardanup, WA 6236
AUSTRALIA
Thank you!
December 10, 2012 at 8:24 pm
Awesome! I think we keep house (or rather don’t keep house) similiarly so I think it’s a sign that they need to be mailed… I probably got them last January (:Can’t believe I haven’t lost them!
December 10, 2012 at 8:31 pm
I just knew that you would return with a vengeance. Great pictures, girlfriend.
December 10, 2012 at 11:01 am
It looks like it will just be a matter of time time time Louis. It felt restorative to hit the trails this weekend!
December 10, 2012 at 8:22 pm
These are Fantastic!!! Beautiful shots!
I am in Ohio, we normally get snow every year… last year where I am at we did not get any snow at all. Only a light dusting early in the season. This year seems to be headed the same way. I LOVE SNOW! I love the winter, I have such an appreciation for those that share their snow! THANK YOU! You brightened up my day! :)
December 10, 2012 at 3:27 pm
Whimsical KT- We hardly had any snow last year too and the first big storm I’m still SO grateful I took off into the woods despite a huge list of “to-do’s”. As it turned out it was one of only two or three significant snow events we had and the only day the sun was shining after it snowed. I’m glad to have made your day. I just read your “about” wondering if your name is KT and it sounds like it may be a bit more difficult for you to run away with reckless abandon like I did after that snow storm. I think you’re amazing… and your work is sooooooo cool! (:
December 10, 2012 at 8:28 pm
Great photos! Can you please send some of that snow my way?
December 10, 2012 at 4:09 pm
Ha I always picture you as having snow because your gravatar is you in the snow. (: I’ll send you snow if you send me some warm weather gear,,,, and some fancy lights like you just profiled since it’s only light a few hours a day. (:
December 10, 2012 at 8:30 pm
I wish we had more snow, but Chicago just hasn’t been very lucky this year.
December 10, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Nice photos… do you carry an SLR while you run? what is your setup? I see interesting things sometimes when I go out for a run but I wouldn’t lug that thing around so curious how you do it!
December 10, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Thanks Bashar. I usually run through the trails without my camera and afterwards grab my camera and retrace the trail jogging at a slower pace cooling off. The terrain is very hilly so I need my arms too much to carry it during my “real” run. (:
December 10, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Glad you got back where you belong for a while, gal. Great stuff.
December 11, 2012 at 11:41 am
Thanks babe. I’m already looking forward to longer days when I can get out after work the weeks I don’t have the kids.
December 19, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Like these pictures a lot. Great stuff.
December 11, 2012 at 3:46 pm
Thank you Arindam. It’s a beautiful world.
December 19, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Always beautiful!! Hope you’re doing well. Next time, listen to your mother! :-)
December 17, 2012 at 10:09 am
Next time I will listen! Thanks Lisa. (:
December 19, 2012 at 9:49 pm
Mind blowing photography! Which cam you have been using for taking snaps of this class? :)
Rahul
December 21, 2012 at 2:35 am